Texas Parks and Wildlife Raises Fees Anyway

The public comment was against raising fees more than two to one but the commission raised them anyway saying that most licenses were undervalued. Think about what you get for your hunting license, you get the right to hunt not a place to hunt. It is getting where it is no longer worth it for the whole family to go hunting and more than that it is no longer affordable even if you have a place to hunt. I keep hearing that TPWD wants to make opportunities to get more hunters in the field each year yet they seem to be doing just the opposite. It seems almost funny that TPWD can't figure out why the number of hunters is dropping each year. Wild Ed

TPWD Increases License, Boat Registration Fees
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved increases to hunting and fishing licenses, as well as boat titling and registration fees. Most fees will increase by five percent and the increases take effect with the 2009-2010 license year, starting this fall for recreational hunting and fishing licenses.
Hunting licenses will increase from $23 to $25, while the popular Super Combo all-inclusive license increases from $64 to $68.
Non-resident hunting licenses increase by $15 from $300 to $315, which also reflects a five percent hike.
Fishing packages will also increase by $2. The resident freshwater fishing package increases from $28 to $30 and the saltwater fishing package increases from $33 to $35.
The biggest increase in license fees approved by the commission affects lifetime licenses. The resident lifetime fishing and hunting licenses will increase to $1,000 and the lifetime combination license increases to $1,800.
"We have not increased the cost of a lifetime license for 12 years," said Gene McCarty, TPWD deputy director of administration. "Frankly, these licenses have been undervalued and could represent significant lost revenue over time if not adjusted."
Boat owners in Texas will also see increases in boat registration and titling fees. Boat registration, which are valid for two years, for vessels less than 16 feet in length increase from $30 to $32 and those in the 16-26 foot range go from $50 to $53. Boats 26-40 feet increase from $70 to $110 and boats greater than 40 feet increase from $90 to $150.
Other miscellaneous increases are primarily in the category of commercial licenses, including commercial shrimp boat captain’s license ($20 increase), resident commercial oyster boat ($21 increase), wholesale fish dealers truck ($28 increase), resident commercial crab fishermen’s license ($30 increase), non-resident commercial oyster boat ($84 increase) and non-resident commercial crab fisherman’s license ($120 increase).
The department received less than 400 comments related to the fee increases during the public comment period, the majority of which came from the TPWD online survey and by email, with only 16 comments resulting from a series of 19 public meetings scheduled around the state. Overall, comments ran more than 2-to-1 against the increases, citing bad economic times as the primary reason.
"Initially we considered a 10-15 percent increase but in this economy we know that is unrealistic and counterproductive," said McCarty. "But, it’s important to mention that this will just keep us even."
McCarty noted the fees for none of the special endorsement stamps were increased.
In addition to the fee increases, the commission approved a new administrative fee of $100 for reinstatement of any recreational or commercial license that has been revoked or suspended.
The commission also authorized staff to implement a drawing for a package that includes a lifetime hunting and fishing license and one-year subscription to Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. Entry fee for the drawing will be $5 and will go on sale Aug. 15 wherever licenses are sold.

Texas Senator Fights for Gun Rights

I understand this passed in the Texas Senate and I wanted to thank Senator Estes for his work and let you all know what was going on and who is on our side. Wild Ed


Here is a link to the action taken. http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/05/26/senate_to_congress_cease_and_d.html


Senator Estes Files Resolution Defending Texas Gun Rights
Austin — State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 54 to express opposition to federal legislation infringing on the individual right to keep and bear arms.
"The right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to the founding of our republic and a cornerstone to our personal freedoms," said Estes.
"I filed this resolution, in coordination with Governor Perry, to express in no uncertain terms our State's opposition to proposed federal legislation that would do irreparable harm to our Second Amendment rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution," added Estes.
The resolution reasserts our "right to keep and bear arms to protect oneself, one's family, and one's possessions from either the lawlessness of other persons or the tyranny of the government."
Senate Concurrent Resolution 54 specifically opposes the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record Sale Act of 2009 filed in the United States Congress, which would require all firearm owners to apply for and carry a federally issued license in order to keep any firearm in their homes.
"I urge our members of Congress representing Texas to do all they can to stop the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record Sale Act of 2009 from being passed into law and to help stand firm for our rights," said Estes.

Crossbows Now Legal in Texas Archery Season

Crossbows are now legal archery equipment for the Texas archery season. The law is completed and has been signed by Governor Perry.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB968

It is now up to Texas Parks and Wildlife to come up with the regulations such as scope or no scope, minimum poundage and other issues by September 1st, 2009.

Texas Snakes on the Crawl

Texas Cottonmouth

Texas Banded Water Snake





Texas Cottonmouth

I recently got an email with pictures from someone telling me of all the cottonmouth water moccasins they had killed at the family place while at their fishing pond. Laid out on the ground were a number of non poisonous water snakes. About two weeks later a friend told be he killed a copperhead snake on his back porch. He was thrilled to get it before it bit his dog or one of the grand kids. The dead snake he was holding in the picture was a very large, very dead rat snake.

Texas Rat Snake

A lot of good snakes end up dead because of mistaken identities. There are lots of books on snakes and how to identify them. One of the easiest ways is watch for the obvious such as a rattle on the tail, this is the easy one. Next easiest is the coral snake because of the bands of color. If the red and yellow are touching leave it alone, remember red and black friend of Jack, red and yellow kill a fellow.

Texas Coral Snake

The copper head has a unique color and pattern and if you mix that up with a rat snake or some other species look at the eye. If the pupil of the eye is round it is a good snake. All the poisonous Texas snakes have an vertical catlike slit pupil of the eye except the coral snake. All the nonpoisonous snakes have a round eye pupil.

Texas Copperhead

Texas Copperhead

Here is a chart on Water Moccasin and Water snake identification.

Cottonmouth: The eyes cannot be seen from the top of the head.

Water snake: The eyes can be seen from the top of the head.

Cottonmouth: The pupil of the eye is a catlike vertical slit, and there is a pit on the side of the head between the eye and the nostril.

Water snake: The pupil of the eye is round, and there is no pit on the side of the head between the eye and the nostril.

Cottonmouth: The top of the head is relatively flat.

Water snake: The top of the head is relatively rounded.

Texas snakes are out in force this time of year and many of us that love the outdoors often come in contact with them. Usually if you leave them alone they will do likewise. If you have to take one out make sure it is one of the bad ones and not one of the good guys. Watch where you step, Wild Ed

White River Trout

My brother-by-choice along with his dad, sister and brother-in-law recently returned from a fishing trip on the White River in Arkansas. Since they got lucky and caught some fish I felt obligated to post the pictures. What is the old saying? “Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.” Way to go guys I just wish you had taken me.
Wild Ed




Deb and her 24 inch German Brown.
Way to go kid!









Chris and Ken can't decide who caught this one.

Kenneth with a nice rainbow.

Chris says he caught this one.

Deb shows a real whopper.

Chris and Ken finally get one of their own.

Newborn Fawn

Donny James , a member of an email Roller Pigeon list that I belong to was kind enough to allow me to post these pictures he took of a new born fawn. I thought you guys would like to see them. Wild Ed

Texas Fawn Season

This is the time of year we are seeing this years fawn crop in more and more neighborhoods as we encroach into their habitat with development. Here in Suburbia the deer are quite at home with living on the forage found in large yards and greenbelts. Several generations have been raised among the houses and traffic and thus it is normal for them. What is not normal are the numbers of fawns that are picked up by well meaning souls that find them laying in the yard or on the edge of a hike and bike trail. A doe will place her fawn somewhere she feels is secure and go off to feed. She will later return and get the fawn to nurse it as needed. So many city folks that run across these fawns think they are abandoned and take them. Not being equipped nor trained in raising deer they either have to get help or raise it themselves. Many can not get the little fawn to nurse or give it the wrong kind of milk and start it towards a cruel death even though they had good intentions. Rehabbers in our area have an over abundance of whitetail fawns they are raising because well intentioned people have picked them up.
Remember that if you find a fawn to leave it where it is unless it is covered by fire ants. Do not get your scent on it. The doe will return and get the fawn later. If you really think it is abandoned come back and check on it later. Ninety-nine percent of the time the doe will have moved it. It is illegal for you to possess a fawn in Texas so if it truly needs help you should go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website and locate a licensed rehabber in your area. They will take the fawn and give it a chance to survive. Feel free to observe the beautiful wildlife of Texas but do it from a distance.

Good watching, Wild Ed

Texas One Step Closer to Legal Crossbow Hunting

It has been quite a battle and though not yet over Texas hunters are a step closer to being able to hunt in Archery season with a crossbow. I have been using a crossbow for several years now due to dual shoulder surgeries and have found that it is no more effective than my old Matthews compound. I also look forward to my daughter and wife joining me in the blind during archery season as they both shoot a gun but no longer bow hunt. Hopefully Governor Perry will get it signed into law and the division between hunters will be a thing of the past as those against the crossbow see that it is not the evil many of them believe. Good hunting whatever you choose, Wild Ed

Bowhunters, one and all
By Mike Ward Wild game, look out.
A bill that would open Texas’ archery hunting season to all hunters using crossbows for the first time was passed in final version by the state Senate this afternoon — a move that some say could put many more hunters in the field.
Previously, only disabled hunters could use crossbows during archery season.
But State Sen. Chris Harris, R-Fort Worth, the Senate sponsor of House Bill 968, said opening up the archery season to all crossbow hunters would increase sales of state hunting licenses.
“By some. How much I don’t know,” he said.
Harris said several states such as Maryland and Ohio allow hunting with a crossbow during archery season without any negative effects. In those states, the overall number of hunters during archery season has increased.
In years past, Harris said, the use of crossbows has not been allowed during archery season.
They look like guns, both because of the stock and way they are shot. But the crossbow delivers an arrow with the same type of drop as a long bow, according to an official analysis of the bill.
While guns can be fired from 400 yards to drop game, a crossbow must be shot from a much closer distance of 50-100 yards, supporters of the measure said.
The measure that the Senate unanimously approved was the same as the House earlier approved. It now goes to the governor to possibly be signed into law.

Texas Cowboy Cooking

My ancestors came to America from Germany, Holland, France and England and all ended up in Texas. Some of those on my father’s side were here before Texas became a Republic. After settling in Texas, a little Cherokee and Comanche were stirred into the gene pool and then influenced by the other cultures they lived with. What happened was that each group had their favorite foods and ways of cooking and were mixed together to fit the hard country where they had settled. Black and Mexican cultures were a part of this land called Texas and a strong influence also on the foods and dishes passed down through the generations. The dishes that resulted were strongly formed by what game, livestock and crops were native to the area along with what was abundant in each locale. What finally came out I would consider country cowboy cooking.

My family was really into meat and potatoes, steaks of all kinds grilled over mesquite coals, home-cured hams, bacon, sausage, smoked meats and some of the best barbecue you ever put in your mouth. Chicken and fish were for frying and seldom cooked any other way. Sauces, stews and gravies were common along with heavy side dishes. Large pots of beans in the Southern or Mexican style were common. Steaming bowls of the best chili, enchiladas and tacos you ever tasted were included in our diets. The breads they baked was heavy and hearty such as sourdoughs, biscuits, and cornbreads, along with flakey pies, pastries, sopaipillas and other sweets made from scratch. Salads were often made of various vegetables in vinegars and oil as fresh greens were short in supply and limited in season. This kind of food was served in ranch houses, cowboy camps and hunting lodges all over Texas. To this day, it is still my favorite kind of food.



There is a place just southwest of Abilene that puts out some of the best food in Texas if not the world. It is real cowboy country and the food is cowboy food. The community is Buffalo Gap and the place is Perini Ranch. I have not been there is a long time but can’t imagine the food not being the same today. The reason I bring it up is that I picked up a new cookbook and was thrilled to find many of the same foods I have eaten for years. A lot of the recipes are right out of the recipe boxes of Texas grandmothers and church social cookbooks that everyone in cowboy country ate growing up. Tom Perini’s bread pudding is a lot like my grandmother’s Scotch bread pudding. Texas Caviar along with cowboy potatoes were a favorite of mine growing up. Chicken fried steak and cream gravy were staples in many Texas homes. I will always cherish my grandmother’s egg custard or flan desserts. Pot roast on Sundays, Friday nights fried catfish, Mom’s meatloaf and Mama’s fried chicken all are visited in this culinary adventure. Tom Perini adds his own flare to each dish and freely gives his secrets and unique methods of preparation. Some of the dishes are original but most are traditional Texas dishes that native Texans ate on a regular basis growing up. Each one takes me home to a different time and place.

Texas Cowboy Cooking is a great hardback cookbook with classic pictures and has a permanent place in my kitchen. The foreword is written by Robert Duval and worth the read. I won’t tell you anymore about it as I am sure Tom would prefer you buy the book. I will go so far to say that if you are a cook and like traditional Texas foods, this book is a must have. If you do not know how to cook real Texas dishes but want to learn how to prepare authentic Texas cowboy foods and be complemented on your meals, this book will teach you how. If you ever find yourself in the area stop in and eat with Tom. Let me know how the food was, Wild Ed

The Massacre at Goliad Remembered

The doorbell rang Saturday morning and it was our postal delivery lady bringing me a package. I was not expecting anything and was surprised to receive a package. A quick glance showed it was from a close friend of mine I had not seen in quite a while. I won't name anyone to protect the guilty, but Tom you brought tears to my eyes as I read the certificate in the package and realized what I was holding in my hands. Inside the package were brass buttons from a Republic of Texas defender and also a Mexican musket ball found on the site of one of the massacres near La Bahia at Goliad Texas.

For those of you that know your Texas history James Fannin had sent two patrols against the Mexicans and had lost over 200 of his men either killed or captured. He still commanded around 350 Texans at Goliad and was awaiting orders. Fannin received a letter from Travis asking him to come to the aid of the Texans entrenched at the Alamo. He also received orders from Sam Houston to retreat to Victoria. Whether indecision or whatever reason Fannin did not do either. He finally decided to retreat but soon found his command surrounded by Mexican soldiers in open country. The 350 Texans faced around 1000 Mexicans and put up a hard fight. They fended off several attacks and killed around 200 of the enemy while Fannin lost about 60 soldiers from his command. With no water or supplies and still facing superior forces Fannin raised the white flag believing they would be taken prisoner and eventually returned home. They were escorted back to Goliad as prisoners where Santa Anna sent orders to have them executed. On Sunday March 27th they were divided into several groups, marched out on the prairie and shot. The bodies were piled up and burned. Several weeks later at San Jacinto the battle cry of “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Goliad” rang out across a coastal prairie where Sam Houston and the outnumbered Texas Army defeated the Mexican army of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and gained independence for Texas.

My prayer is that each of you that read this takes a moment to honor those that gave their lives for Texas. Remember that the price of liberty and freedom is not cheap and often paid for in blood. We need to make sure that Tyrants even today understand that we come from good stock and will step across the line drawn in the sand, we will defend our freedom to the death. I can assure you that I will remember and I will teach it to my children.

Tom, I thank you from my heart and want you to know I will be displaying the buttons and musket ball in an honored place on my wall and they will be passed to my children so that they can see how much importance their old dad put on freedom and Texas. God Bless Texas and long live the Republic, Wild Ed